Wednesday, 30 April 2014

Hepatitis C Virus Infectious for Six Weeks on Surfaces?

According Lance's Science Macrocosm, A group of researchers from the Yale Schools of Medicine and Public Health demonstrated that hepatitis C virus (HCV) can remain infectious for up to six weeks on surfaces at room temperature. Previously, it was thought that HCV could survive for up to four days on surfaces outside the body, this new research extends that number by a month and a half.

The implications of these findings are far reaching, including safety of patients and workers in healthcare settings, as well as reducing viral hepatitis transmission associated with drug use.